Mary Louise "Mary Lou" Gaillard

Mary Louise Gaillard, 90, passed away peacefully June 2, 2026. Mary Lou was born on Jan. 29, 1936, in Gary, Indiana, to John and Catherine “Irene” McDougall. She was the fourth of six children.

She graduated from Hobart High School in 1953 where she was a member of the National Honor Society, Boosters Club, Student Council, and the A Capella Club. She also was voted Most Athletic, earning a spot on the Indiana All-Star girls’ state basketball team.

A determined and independent woman, she boarded a train to Phoenix, Arizona, to pursue nursing school. She graduated in 1956 as a Registered Nurse from Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. The hospital housed the first racially integrated nursing school west of the Mississippi River and ultimately became the first medical care facility for poor communities in Arizona. In 1980, she received her Bachelor of Nursing from Northern Arizona University.

Mary Lou lived a true life of service, honing her skills in the emergency and surgical departments, finally retiring from Ann Ott grammar school after 27 years as the school nurse. She was a staunch advocate for the poor, especially for the area Hispanic population. She worked tirelessly to provide healthcare and comfort (many times off the clock) to students and families that affectionately called her “Nursie” with much love.

She also was beacon of faith, dedicating her life to helping others. She taught Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for more than 20 years at St. Gregory’s parish in Phoenix. For nearly 35 years she was a member of the Schoenstatt movement, which is dedicated to the Blessed Mother. She was a devoted Catholic and member of St. Gregory, St. Francis Xavier and St. Theresa parishes over her lifetime.

A lifelong learner, she was a staunch believer in education and made significant sacrifices to provide financial and emotional support so her daughters and granddaughters could pursue their dreams. In 2014, the Mary Louise Gaillard Maroon and Gold Leaders Scholarship was established to support aspiring students at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

She loved family, friends, traveling and animals (so long as they didn’t slither). Her last 18 years were spent living in the Arcadia area with her daughter and son-in-law, helping to raise her granddaughter Katie. She took up that charge with conviction and purpose, channeling all her strength to teach, guide and support her family and friends. She believed that laughter, love, hard work, empathy, sacrifice and, most of all, honor form character of person and faith. Her door was always open to friends and family, many of whom called her Momma Lou or Grandma Lou with great love. She was loved and will be missed by those who knew her and remembered for her resilience, independence and humor. She was our north and south, our east and west, the sun, stars and moon all together.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, infant daughter Christine, sister Margaret Roytan, brothers Jack McDougall and Dennis McDougall, and her ex-husband and friend Ron Gaillard. She is survived by her brother Russell McDougall (Rose), sister Patricia Hirshouer (Ed), daughters Jacqueline Petchel and Judie Bizzozero (Greg); grandchildren Meghan Petchel (Ashlin Bernier-Green) and Kaitlin Bizzozero, and great-grandson Hendrix Bernier-Green; many beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and bonus daughters, sons and grandchildren.

The family offers heartfelt thanks to the incredible team at Hospice of the Valley’s Dementia Care and Education Campus, who provided unwavering compassionate care and profound love during her final 16 months. Dementia, including Alzheimer’s, is never an individual journey—it touches everyone connected to the person living with it, earning the name “The Long Goodbye.”

In honor of Mary Lou’s memory, the family invites donations to the Hospice of the Valley’s Dementia Care and Education Campus.

Services will be at Brophy Chapel, 4701 N. Central Ave., Phoenix AZ 85012, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Rosary will be prayed at 1:30 p.m. followed by Mass at 2 p.m. A Celebration of Life will take place from 4-7 p.m. at the Culinary Dropout, 5632 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.